CVE-2005-3707 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Apple Quicktime before 7.0.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted TGA image files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3707 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Apple QuickTime media player software versions prior to 7.0.4. This security weakness specifically affects the handling of TGA image files, which are commonly used for storing raster graphics and are often embedded within multimedia content. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and memory management practices when processing these particular image formats, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors to gain unauthorized system control.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the QuickTime library's TGA image parser. When the software encounters a malformed TGA file containing oversized or malformed data structures, the application fails to properly validate the buffer sizes before copying data into internal memory structures. This leads to a classic buffer overflow condition where attacker-controlled data overwrites adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow and allowing remote code execution. The flaw operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise when exploited successfully. Attackers can craft malicious TGA image files that, when opened by an unpatched QuickTime client, will trigger the buffer overflow and provide a pathway for arbitrary code execution. This presents significant risk to end users who may unknowingly download or receive such files through email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites. The vulnerability affects a broad user base since QuickTime was widely distributed and integrated into various Apple operating systems, making the potential attack surface extensive.
Organizations and individuals should prioritize immediate patching of affected QuickTime installations to mitigate this risk. The recommended mitigation involves upgrading to Apple QuickTime version 7.0.4 or later, which includes proper bounds checking and memory management fixes for TGA file processing. Additionally, network administrators should implement content filtering measures to prevent TGA files from reaching end users, particularly when these files originate from untrusted sources. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious QuickTime file access patterns and potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a typical example of how multimedia processing libraries can become attack vectors when proper input validation is absent. The attack pattern follows typical remote exploitation methodologies described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under initial access and execution phases, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to achieve code execution on target systems.